JESPER BLOMQVIST last night showed his gratitude to Everton after helping end the Blues' run of five consecutive Premiership defeats.

The Swede dedicated his 26th-minute header against Sunderland on Saturday to the supporters and staff at Goodison.

The goal gave the Blues their first league win since beating Derby on December 15 and helped move them five points clear of the relegation zone.

It was also Blomqvist's first goal since signing in at Goodison Park in November - and his first senior goal since netting at the same end of the ground for Manchester United in October 1998.

And he said: "I must thank everybody at Everton, the players, the staff and the fans, everybody. They have all made it easy for me.

"Easy to settle in so quickly and to find my form on the pitch. This goal I dedicate to them all.

"Our performance was excellent, in the first half, particularly. In the second we weren't so good, but we really worked hard together.

"That was brilliant to see because you know there is more to come when the team works that hard."

Blomqvist added: "I can't explain the feeling of scoring that goal, it was just magic. I have been surprised with the speed that I have got my touch back and the feel for the game.

"On the physical side, I have worked as hard as I have ever done these past six months.

"But my form on the pitch, the touch I have found, that has surprised me to have got it back so quickly.

"It's very early to talk about the World Cup, but things are going well so far. I expected that I wouldn't be able to play like this after so long out, but I've just felt stronger after every game."

He added: "I do remember my last Premiership goal, it's not too hard, I only got one in my time with United and it was at Everton, so yes, this has been a great day for me. I'm delighted, really delighted."

Blues boss Walter Smith praised his match-winner.

"He has settled down very quickly, and started to play very well," he said.

"After the length of time he has been out through injury and the nature of that injury, we couldn't have expected him to be playing so well so quickly.

"Jesper has been out for a very, very long time and he is still building on his match fitness.

"That won't be there for another three or four games so to see him play this well and to score is outstanding.

"The win further eased the pressure on Smith following on from the FA Cup victory against Stoke City last weekend.

Smith added: "It was a welcome win after losing five on the trot in the league.

"We had a lot of chances and should not have been in a position to be as worried as we were in those final minutes. Sunderland are always dangerous and will come back at you."

Kevin Campbell made his first appearance since the end of October after recovering from a back injury.

And Smith said: "He was out for 11 weeks and could not train for five weeks and it was asking a lot of him to come in.

"He has a few opportunities which a few weeks down the line he would put away. I was delighted to have him back."

Smith was also delighted with man-of-the-match Paul Gascoigne, who had announced before the game that he still felt he could play for England.

"Actually, I keep telling him to stop talking about it and, to be honest, with the amount of good young players around, I don't think he can expect to be there now," said the Blues boss.

"But he still amazes me. He has always had the ability but I discovered a long time ago that he has amazing natural fitness when he is free from injuries.

"He ended up the strongest player on the pitch, running all over the place.

"He was terrific in those last 30 minutes when we were under so much pressure."

Gascoigne himself had spoken earlier about his desire to turn out for England again for the first time since 1998.

"I do say to myself, I'd love to be in midfield with Beckham, Scholes and Gerrard. If I could play one and two touch with them it would be a great feeling," said Gascoigne.

"We have young, enthusiastic kids who are becoming world-class players and I feel I still have it up in my head, you never lose that.

"It would be nice to have a run out with them to prove what I can do with players like that around me."